Dreamy McHotty action star Hugh Jackman is on a whirlwind media tour promoting X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the latest movie he struts around naked in, which means he’s taking his giant guns from one red carpet and press event to the next. He’s also feeding nuggets to the press so they can write yet another lovely article about how bad Australia was but how fun the X-Men movies are. It’s how we end up with soundbites like this one: “I love sex, it’s great.” Swoon! But how does his latest interview with newspaper insert and dog kennel flooring Parade get so warped?
Reads the actual article:
Despite his obviously close relationship with his wife, whispers have persisted since he played Peter Allen that Jackman himself might be gay. “I’d be happy to go and deny it, because I’m not,” he says. “But by denying it, I’m saying there is something shameful about it, and there isn’t anything shameful. The questions about sexuality I find more here in America than anywhere else, because it’s a big hang-up and defines what people think about themselves and others. It’s not a big issue in Australia.”
And somehow that story gets passed around the web with very, very different headlines.
Here’s on sample, from the Boston Herald:
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And a, uh, contradictory one from The Insider:
Huh. Well whether he’s denying it or not denying it, just remember this, from Jackman: “And whether you like girls or boys, whether you life the light on or off: Who cares? I always find sexuality one of the least interesting things about a person.”
Adam
sigh… I love him more.
NickL
He’s right that Aussies, by and large, people couldn’t care less about sexual orientation. There’ll always bad apples and homophobic teenage boys etc, but most don’t consider it an issue.
I think this probably has to do with the fact that the church has lost its foothold in Aussie politics. In the recent election, it was revealed that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had been to strip clubs in recent years. Instead of hurting his campaign like the opposition thought, it only endured him to the ‘common man’ and left the bourgeois indifferent. When rumours surfaced that the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard might be lesbian, the only question people asked was “If she’s good for the job, why would that matter?”
gsh
I’m really tired of this prick. He hasn’t played in any movie that’s of interest to anyone except the most brain-dead of teenagers and he’s on the record actually denying ever using steroids before filming “Wolverine”! He actually claimed that he became supernaturally huge by eating nothing but boiled chicken! This is on a par with Madonna denying ever having plastic surgery and crediting her complexion to kabbalah water.
I really do hope he’s straight. He’s just every straight housewive’s jerk-off fantasy.
BrianZ
I thought that his comments re: denying being gay were extremely positive and thoughtful. A very polite way of turning the tables I would think, and a great way for anyone being pushed about their sexuality to respond.
Oh and I thought he was brilliant in Happy Feet!
Queerky
His denials are strangely reminiscent of Ricky Martin’s. “I’m not gay but would it matter if I were.”
Male stars have a minefield with this type of rumor.
If he denies it and is then found out he can never live it down(Clay Aikens, Kevin Spacey)
If he fights the rumor tooth and nail, we say “The lady doth protest too much.” (Tom Cruise)
If he comes out as a gay male, his leading man career is over ( Rupert Everett).
Hugh has given the only safe response possible.
BootsieGee
Did Kevin Spacey actually publically come out? I was not aware that he had truly come out.
Was Rupert Everett a true leading man? I don’t think he could ever actually open a film. I don’t think he was even name above the title.
I could be wrong on both of these.
Dr. Pedantic
Why can’t people just accept homo-friendly hot guys without trying to “claim” them as secretly gay? I happent to think Hugh Jackman is perfection himself, but there’s certainly room in our culture for “straight allies” who can speak out in favor of our rights, including marriage rights. The lack of self-interest gives those people some credibility and provides a different angle. So whether it’s Hugh Jackman or George Clooney or whoever, if we want people to be comfortable with our sexuality, we should just calm down and be comfortable with theirs.
Sampson
@Dr. Pedantic: Amen.
Latebrosus
@Dr. Pedantic: because the more good-looking, musclely, masculine, famous men on our side, the better! Come on! That’s the way our politics works!
CitizenGeek
Hugh Jackman is not gay, just let it go. He’s said he isn’t, and even if he is (and there’s nothing to suggest he is), he’s not homophobic and is in fact quite the opposite, so there’s no basis for attempting to out him. Just leave the guy alone.
sal
GOSH LEAVE THE MAN ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sal
@Dr. Pedantic: AMEN!!!
sal
@CitizenGeek: AMEN to your comment too
John from England(used to be just John but there are other John's)
@sal:
I actually agree 100%.